OAKLAND (KCBS)— At 13 percent, Oakland’s unemployment rate is far above the state and national average but, a series of classes at Oakland and Berkeley’s public libraries is helping those looking for work tap into the hidden job market.

About 20 people searching for work gathered in the basement of the Oakland Public Library’s main branch for Job on!, a series of four classes taught by teacher, small-business owner and librarian Nancy Rhoda.

“People are the ones that make the hiring decisions. So you can be friendly with the internet, but unless you’re friendly with some of those people you’re not going to get a job,” she said.

Rhoda explained that networking in person exposes you to unadvertised jobs or what she calls the hidden job market.

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